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2 Building blocks of the SeminarGeneral principles and the Guidelines on the closure of operational programmesSubmission and content of closure documents, Irregularities, Top-upEligibility of expenditure – phased, non- funtioning,suspended operationsEligibility of expenditure – FEI, Revenue Generating Projects, State aid, ETC, TA

3 ClosureGeneral principles and the Guidelines on the closure of operational programmesMelina Soumela

4 Closure : What is it all about (1)?Definition of Closure:Process leading to the financial settlement of outstanding Union's budgetary commitmentsFinancial settlement of outstanding Union's budgetary commitmentsStarting point of the period during which the Commission's and Member States' rights and obligations remain valid in respect of assistance to operationsValue added of the guidelines on closure:Propose simplified procedures to avoid bottlenecks identified during the closure of the previous programming periodProvide a methodological framework to facilitate the closure process

5 Closure : What is it about (2)?ActorsKey in the process : distinct roles but complementaryTimeframeRegulatory deadlinesNon regulatory deadlines recommended in the Closure GuidelinesClosure documentsSet of three documents established by the RegulationsAdditional documents required in the Closure Guidelines

6 Major changes compared to Closure 2000-2006 (1) : in substanceFinal date of eligibility & deadline for submission of closure documents fixed in the Regulation: no extension possibleNo individual closure of Cohesion Fund projects since CF has been mainstreamed

7 Major changes compared to Closure 2000-2006 (2): irregularitiesDisclosure of the annual total projected error rates and residual risk rate for the programme at closureReporting on withdrawn and recovered amounts, pending recoveries and irrecoverable amounts, not only on recoveriesNo payment of irregularities at closure unless amounts are irrecoverable and the MS requests the EU Budget to share the burden of the loss and Commission acceptsA commitment will remain open for pending recoveriesQuarterly reporting to OLAF independent of the reporting on irregularities under Cohesion policy rules

8 Major changes compared to Closure 2000-2006 (3): form & procedureFinal Implementation Reportfollowing a template in annex XVIII of Commission regulationone-step approach for admissibility and quality check of the Final Implementation ReportSpecific reporting on FEI following 2011 amendment of the General RegulationElectronic submission of closure documentation via SFC 2007

9 Most problematic issues at closure 2000-2006Closure documents were prepared at the last momentInsufficient number or late execution of checksIncomplete documents and long "ping-pong" between the Commission and the Member State to obtain additional informationDisagreements with the Commission over the extent and application of financial correctionsLack of overbooking results in net lossNot enough staff allocated to closure

10 Lessons to be learntLaunch preparation phase as early as possible, including trainingAssess at early stage the risks of operations not to be completedPlan all activities of all actors in time to prepare for closurePlan adequate resourcesEnsure consistency of the closure packageUse overbooking

11 Administrative capacities involved in the closure process (1)Managing Authority/Intermediate BodyCheck the final expenditure claims from beneficiariesComplete management verificationsEnsure the possible reconciliation between the final statement of expenditure and accounting records and audit trail down to the final recipientVerify amount of public contribution paid or due to be paidVerify that errors/irregularities stemming from all available verifications and audits (management checks, system audits/on operations audits, other national bodies, EU bodies audits) were correctedVerify correspondence of the financial information included in the final statement of expenditure and in the final implementation report, including list of operations suspendedMost of these tasks should be carried out regularly

12 Administrative capacities involved in the closure process (2)Certifying AuthorityEnsure that it receives all necessary information from MA and on all audit resultsSatisfy itself that all errors/irregularities were corrected, that recovered amounts are repaid and all audit findings and recommendations implementedDraw up the application for final balance and the final statement of expenditureDraw up the final statement on withdrawls and recovered/pending recoveries/irrecoverable amountsDraw up annex to the statement of expenditure on FEI and state aidsCA should submit its work to AA at the latest on to allow sufficient time for the AA to carry out its work

13 Administrative capacities involved in the closure process (3)Audit authorityComplete audit work on system audits and audits on operations on the expenditure declared in 2015 and 2016(Last ACR on will cover expenditure declared until Therefore final control report needs to report on the results of audits carried out on systems and audits on operations for the expenditure declared in 2015 and This work is to be carried out from July 2015 and to be finalised before end March 2017).Warning: a deadline needs to be set for the last interim payment claim for the AA to carried out its work: Commission recommends 30 June 2016Verify that MA, IBs, CA work for closure is complete and reliable in particular on management verifications, errors/irregularities, information on the follow up given to audit results.Draw up the final control report and closure declaration on the validity of the payment declaration and legality and regularity of the underlying transactions

15 Timeline for Closure Before submission of closure documents(MC): deadline for COM to adopt amending decisions resulting in financial transfer (2013 commitments) between OPs or SFs: deadline for communicating to COM the list of major projects to be phased + deadline of submission of the last Annual Implementation Report 2014 (MC) (exception, FEI)(MC): deadline for COM to adopt amending decisions of OPs including transfers of funds between priority axis (any previous year) + deadline for amending decisions of Major Projects + last ACR

16 Timeline for Closure / DeadlinesBefore submission of closure documents: deadline recommended for the submission of the last interim payment to COM: deadline recommended for the CA to submit to the AA application for payment of final balance + final statement of expenditure

17 Timeline for Closure/ DeadlinesAt submission of closure documents:final date for submission of all closure documents through SFCfinal date for new or additional deductions of net revenues for some RGP (irrespective of the starting date of the project)State aid - final date for the body granting the aid to pay the public contribution to the State aid beneficiaries

18 Timeline for Closure/ DeadlinesAfter submission of closure documents1 year after reception of closure documents : global objective for the COM to close as many OPs as possible: deadline for the final reporting on non- functional projectsNo time limit : Report on pending recoveries + operations suspended due to legal or administrative proceedings

19 Preparation for closure : closure documents (a)Closure document (Art.89(1) of the Gen Reg.)Application for payment of the final balance and statement of expenditureFinal Implementation Report (FIR)Closure declaration (supported by a final control report)Deadline for submission- 31 March 2017 via SFCInterim Payment claims even when the threshold of 95% of the contribution from the funds to the OP has been reachedFailure to submit any of the closure documents: decommitment of the final balanceFailure to submit the FIR or FCR: potential financial correctionChanging documents after the deadline for their submission- no new expenditure allowed after submission (exception for Ops suspended due to force majeure)Availability of supporting documents- 3 years following date of closure (or partial closure)

20 Preparation for closure : closure documents (b)Certified statement of final expenditure, final payment applicationPossible discrepancies between EU funds paid back at priority axis level and EU funds paid/due to be paid at project levelPublic contribution paid or to be paid (paid in any case for State aid) to beneficiaries at least ≥ EU contribution to the programmeBeneficiaries to be paid in full as quickly as possiblePossibility to include overbooking … but not beyond submission of closure documents

21 Preparation for closure : closure documents (c)Final Implementation Report (FIR)Commission has 5 months to confirm its admissibility or provide comments to MS in case it is not satisfied- Objective: Approval within one year of submission,Consequence if MS fails to provide satisfactory responses to comments sent by COM FIR rejected and at the same time financial corrections may be applied in the context of Article 99

22 Preparation for closure : closure documents (d)Closure declaration- Submission of a closure declaration by programme– Final control report might cover more than one programme or Fund  includes audits as of 30/06/2015 and between 01/07/2015 and 31/12/2016, also covering expenses paid in and 2016- Residual error rate to be mentioned- Objective: revise and accept the closure declaration within one year of submission subject to audit issues.

23 Procedural aspects / Closure packageRole and tasksFinal Implementation Report (MC) : prepared by MAs (format set in annex XVIII of Reg. 1828/2006)Application for final payment and final statement of expenditure : prepared by CAs (format set in annex X of Reg. 1828/2006)Closure declaration + final control report : prepared by AAs (format set in annex VIII of Reg. 1828/2006)Flexible format for : list of functioning projects + reporting on non functioning projects every six months by MA

24 Procedural aspects / Closure packageCoordinated submission of closure documentsNeed for regular exchanges between authorities well ahead of the compulsory deadlinesFinal consistency check to be made by one authority before submission of the closure documentsSpecific duty of CA : statement on withdrawn and recovered amounts, pending recoveries and irrecoverable amounts (annex XI of Reg 1828/2006)

25 Calculation and irregularities / flexibility: calculation at measure level, limited flexibility between priority axis, deadline for modification of financial plan limited to end of 2006: calculation at priority axis level, full flexibility to modify financial plans till end of 2015 (transfers between priority axis)+10 % flexibility between priority axis.Financial transfers :Limited to the 2013 commitments in case of transfer between OPs (deadline : 31/12/2013)Subject to prior discussion on the justification of transfer, no legal restriction as for the modification of earlier years allocations between priority axis

26 Calculation and irregularities / irregularitiesDistinction and links to be drawn between:Statement on amounts withdrawn, recoveries, pending recoveries and irrecoverable amounts : final statement to be issued by CA by 31/03/2017 (Annex XI of the Implementing Regulation)  COM commitments kept open for pending recoveries and irrecoverable amounts when additional info is requiredOperations suspended due to legal or administrative proceedings : decision to withdraw/retain + obligation of information by MA (Annex VII of Closure Guidelines)  COM commitments kept open (no time limit)Financial correction : no time limit (notably in case of fraud). Frequent mix-up with the period of retention of documents by beneficiaries following closure for the purpose of audits

27 Top –up mechanism(1) What is it?Increase of 10% above the co-financing rate at the level of the priority axisCannot exceed 100%Applied to the new expenditure declared during the top-up periodCalculation of Union ContributionCannot be higher than the public contributionRespects the maximum amount of the assistance from the funds for each priority axis

28 Top-up mechanism (2) Towards closure At closureThe amounts paid as top-up counts for the 95% ceilingThe calculation methodology is the same throughout the period to all payment requestsAt closureIf applicable, the top up will still be calculated following the same rulesReporting request on the use of these financial resources

30 Eligibility of expenditureincurred for operations decided on by the managing authority of the operational programme concerned or under its responsibility and paid (by the beneficiary) for operations by 31 December 2015 (Article 56)supported by receipted invoices or accounting documents of equivalent probative value, unless otherwise provided in specific Regulations for each Fund (Article 78(1)) (see simplified costs)

32 Functioning operationsFunctioning operations: eligible, completed and in use at the time of submission of closure documentsCompleted operation referred to in Art. 88: "An operation shall be deemed completed where the activities under it have been actually carried out and for which all expenditure by the beneficiary and the corresponding public contribution have been paid"Completion of an operation is possible by using national resources between 31 December 2015 and 31 March 2017No obligation to provide a full list of completed projects (with the exception of completed major projects, Annex I of the Closure Guidelines).

33 Phased Operations – General principlesPossibility for a project to be implemented over two periods in order to complete the project without compromising its overall scope and avoiding incomplete (non-eligible) projects.Phases are implemented under the rules applicable for the respective programming periods.Implementation of two phases may overlap in years 2014 and 2015.Not for FEI nor productive investments.

34 Phased Operations - ConditionsMS should ensure that the following conditions are met:MP or operations over EUR 5 Mio of total costs for non-MP.Two clearly identifiable stages (physical & financial objectives).First phase is ready to be used for its purpose/function by the deadline of the submission of closure documents.Second phase is eligible under the period.If amendment: reduced financial allocation to phase one.In FIR indicate that financial and legal commitment was made to complete the second phase, quantify overall amount, list of phased MP (Annex III) or Annex IV upon request (phased non-MP)

35 Phased Operations – Definition of phasesMS defines two clearly identifiable stages (physical & financial)not possible to use only financial milestone (85% of costs, or 75% of construction or materials, etc.) for defining a phasea phase should be auditable with regard to its physical object, allocated amounts and results achieved, meaning that it should demonstrate achievement of tangible targets.

36 Phasing Major projects - STEPSIdentification of phasing needs (informal screening and list of major projects to be phased submitted to the Commission).Amendment of MP decision to allow phasing (if not new MP) and definition of first phase.Approval of the second phase (in line with CPR )Closure of the first phase (in accordance with the Guidelines on closure ).Closure of the complete and functional phased project (in line with CPR ).

37 Phasing Major projects– AmendmentRequest for an amendment of the decision on a major project should be submitted by 30 September 2015.Original application should be updated and the proposed amendment should take into account revised project details including a possible update of certain documents or procedures (CBA, EIA, permits).The amended decision on the major project will reaffirm the overall objective of the major project, but it will cover only the project phase implemented in the period.

38 Phasing Major projects – 2014-2020 approvalListed as a major project, if both phases calculated together exceed the ceiling of the total eligible costs provided in the CPR.The major project application of the second phase should refer to both phases and also to the overall physical and financial objective.1) notification or 2) simplified notification - without the independent experts review, Article 103 is applicable (if there are no substantial changes) or 3) decision of the Commission

39 Phasing Major projects - ExamplesR&D:RO, HU, CZ lasers Phase 1: General construction of buildings, laser purchased but not assembled Phase 2: Installation, development and testing of the technology. Achievement of the full operability of laser technology Motorway: Phase 1: Earthworks and construction of bridge 1 and temporary roads completed, and ready to be used for its purposes; Pipeline network and first asphalt layers Phase 2: Construction of bridge 2, and final asphalt coverage Motorway between access points A and B fully completed and in use

40 Non-functioning OperationsDefinition: Non-completed projects or projects completed, but not in use (at the submission of closure documents).Can be, exceptionally and on a case-by-case basis, included in final statement of expenditure IF:Operation over 5 MEUR of total costs;Total of EU contribution to all non-functioning projects < 10% of total OP allocation.MS commits to complete non-functioning projects before 31 March 2019 and to report to COM every 6 months.List of non-functioning projects included in FIR.!No extension of the final date of eligibility!

41 Suspended operationsDue to legal proceedings or an administrative appeal having suspensory effect.MS must decide before the deadline for submission of closure documents whether the operation should be withdrawn/replaced (by another eligible operation) or retained in the programme.If retained, inform COM of the (maximum) amount that could not be declared in order to keep the commitment open.Outcome: further payments, recovery or confirmation of payments made.List of suspended operations should be submitted at closure (Annex VII).!No extension of the final date of eligibility!

42 Force majeureException for operations suspended due to force majeure = principle of Community law.Concept defined by the Court of Justice: non-performance was due to circumstances (cumulative conditions) which:a) were beyond the control of the person/body claiming force majeure,b) were abnormal and unforeseeable, andc) could not have been avoided despite the exercise of all due care.Allows the declaration of expenditure incurred and paid after 31 December 2015 and review of closure documents after the deadline for submission

44 Financial engineering instrumentsWhat is eligible at closure ?Not the OP contribution to the FEI Payments to final recipients under each FEIIf activities and recipients eligibleOnly repayable assistance subject to exceptionsSpecial rule on guarantees: multiplicatorManagement costs and feesCappedAnnual averageNo overlap with arrangements fees

45 Financial engineering instrumentsEligibility of grant elements (interest rate subsidy, guarantee fee subsidy and measures such as loan discounts or capital rebates for the commercial part of the loans) under conditions:- Grant elements shall be associated and combined with ERDF/ESF loans or guarantees in a single financing package- In respect of loans disbursed within eligibility date- At closure capitalisation needed (discounted payment obligations to be calculated)- Corresponding amount shall be transferred to escrow account

46 Financial engineering instrumentsAmounts to be deducted from the eligible expenditure:overlap between arrangement fees paid by final recipient and eligible management costs/feesinterest generated by payments from the OP to FEI (including holding fund) which are attributable to Structural Funds contribution not spent for eligible expenditure by the end of eligibility period

47 Financial engineering instrumentsReporting requirementsData on FEI to be reported in June 2016 for (cumulative data)Information relevant for eligibility at closureManagement costs and feesAmount of capitalised interest rate subsidies or guarantee fee subsidiesInterest generated by payments from OPLegacy

48 Financial engineering instrumentsMain qualitative information to be provided at closure:The number and the type of fundsThe national co-financing (and co-investors)Funding Agreement (signature, modifications, amounts, duration)Types of product offered and final recipients targetedBrief assessment of fund performance in terms of its contribution to the achievements of objectivesDifficulties encountered (reasons, nature of difficulties, timing, remedial actions and their effectiveness)

49 Revenue generating projects: DefinitionRevenue generating project means:any operation involving an investment in infrastructure the use of which is subject to charges borne directly by users orany operation involving the sale or rent of land or buildings orany other provision of services against paymentProvided that the projects generate net revenue ( revenues – operating costs (+ residual value))

50 Revenue generating projects: Estimation of revenue in advance Article 55 (2)Financing needs based on estimatesDeduction required at the latest of closureNew sources of revenueChanges in the tariff policyNo compulsory deductions required to take into account the variation of revenues which sources have been taken into account ex anteUnless systematic ex ante underestimation of revenues

51 Revenue generating projects: Estimation of revenue not possible in advance Article 55 (3)Estimation impossible in advance due to:Lack of data (for tariff & demand)Unforeseeable demand (new demand might be generated by supply)Deduction required at closure:the net revenues generated within 5 years after the completion of an operation shall be deducted from the expenditure declared to ECdeduction done within 5 years or at closure, whichever comes first

52 Revenue generating projects: MonitoringSystem should be in place for monitoring of revenuesObjective:Prevent over-financing (by correct application of funding gap methodology, etc.)Contribute to effective allocation of resourcesEarly detection of possibility to reallocate funds prevents losses at closure

53 Revenue generating projects: ExceptionsProvisions on revenue-generating projects do not apply to:projects subject to State aid rules within the meaning of Article 87 of the Treaty (following Leipzig- Halle judgment of the Court of Justice of EU, more infrastructure projects could be considered within the ambit of State aid)operations covered by financial engineering instruments under Article 44 of Council Regulation 1083/2006operations with total cost below 1 Meuro

54 Eligibility of expenditure for State aidThe beneficiary must have executed the payment for which the aid has been granted before the eligibility end date 31 December 2015In addition to the payment being made by the beneficiaries, the public contribution to the beneficiary must be paid before the submission of the closure documentsAdvances paid to the beneficiaries should be covered by expenditure paid by beneficiaries at the latest on 31 December 2015

55 ETC specific issuesNo specific guidelines for the ETC programmes, general rules applyQ: Funds cannot be transferred between ETC and non-ETC (mainstream) programmesQ: the concerned Member States should establish internal procedure for the closure of the ETC programmes bearing in mind that the Managing Authority keeps overall responsibility towards the CommissionQ: error rates/reporting on results are to be provided on programme level as it is a joint programme (a possible agreement among the Member States on how the corrections are applied), but the Commission - considering the programme as a single programme - will make financial correction on the programme

56 Specific reporting requirementsReporting on results to be included in the FIRReporting on FEI, Phasing, non-functioning projects, major projects, top-up, performance and use of interestFinal categorisation data should be reconciled with the final payment declaration

57 Reporting on resultsExplanation and justification of any significant divergence against the set targets and problems encountered in their achievement should be providedMS should demonstrate that it has adopted corrective actions during the implementationNo automatism in applying the financial corrections if indicators are not achievedFinancial corrections for the evident non-achievement of programme objectives will have to be assessed case-by-case

58 Technical assistance for closureTA for management and implementation ofPossible flexibility:Article 46 paragraph 1 of the General Regulation financing of preparatory activities of the periodRemaining closure works after 2015 to be financed by TAIf a clear demonstrable link between the proposed activities and the preparations/closures exists

59 OverbookingTo declare more eligible expenditure than amounts committed for the OPAdvantage:promote the full absorption of funds and creates financial bufferWarning:respect the procedure for selecting projectsrespect the rules of eligibility of expenditure/projectsMember State bears expenditure declared beyond the total allocation of the programme (not paid by the Commission)

60 Thank you for your attentionIf there are additional questions and clarifications needed, the Commission is ready to respondThe Commission will provide written replies on the questions raised